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China CDC Weekly Jun 2024H10 avian influenza viruses circulate in wild birds and can reassort with other subtypes. H10N8 and H10N3 have previously caused sporadic human infections in China.
A Retrospective Investigation of a Case of Dual Infection by Avian-Origin Influenza A (H10N5) and Seasonal Influenza A (H3N2) Viruses - Anhui Province, China, December 2023-January 2024.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?
H10 avian influenza viruses circulate in wild birds and can reassort with other subtypes. H10N8 and H10N3 have previously caused sporadic human infections in China.
WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?
This report documents the first human case of co-infection with avian-origin H10N5 and seasonal H3N2 influenza viruses. Epidemiological investigations identified H10N5 in environmental samples linked to the patient, but no transmission to close contacts occurred.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?
Enhanced surveillance of avian influenza in live poultry markets and poultry populations is crucial for thoroughly characterizing the epidemiology, transmission, and pathogenesis of H10N5 viruses. Strengthening assessments of outbreak control measures is essential to guide effective management.
PubMed: 38933038
DOI: 10.46234/ccdcw2024.106 -
Viruses Jun 2024The study involved five ferrets from one household in Poland, comprising three sick 9-week-old juveniles, their healthy mother, and another clinically normal adult,...
The study involved five ferrets from one household in Poland, comprising three sick 9-week-old juveniles, their healthy mother, and another clinically normal adult, admitted to the veterinary clinic in June 2023. The juvenile ferrets displayed significant lethargy and a pronounced unwillingness to move with accompanying pulmonary distress. Prompted by concurrent outbreaks of A/H5N1 influenza virus infections in Polish cats, point-of-care tests were conducted that revealed type A influenza antigens in the throat swabs of all five ferrets. Despite treatment, one juvenile ferret exhibited dyspnea and neurological symptoms and eventually died. The two remaining ferrets recovered fully, including one severely affected showing persistent dyspnea and incoordination without fever that recovered after 11 days of treatment. In the RT-qPCR, the throat swabs collected from all surviving ferrets as well as the samples of lungs, trachea, heart, brain, pancreas, liver, and intestine of the succumbed ferret were found positive for A/H5N1 virus RNA. To our best knowledge, this is the first documented natural A/H5N1 avian influenza in domestic ferrets kept as pets. In addition, this outbreak suggests the possibility of asymptomatic A/H5N1 virus shedding by ferrets, highlighting their zoonotic potential and the advisability of excluding fresh or frozen poultry from their diet to reduce the A/H5N1 virus transmission risks.
Topics: Animals; Ferrets; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Pets; Female; Male; Poland; Disease Outbreaks; Virus Shedding; Cats
PubMed: 38932223
DOI: 10.3390/v16060931 -
Viruses May 2024In 2023, South Africa continued to experience sporadic cases of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in coastal seabirds and poultry. Active...
In 2023, South Africa continued to experience sporadic cases of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in coastal seabirds and poultry. Active environmental surveillance determined that H5Nx, H7Nx, H9Nx, H11Nx, H6N2, and H12N2, amongst other unidentified subtypes, circulated in wild birds and ostriches in 2023, but that H5Nx was predominant. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of confirmed H5N1 HPAI cases determined that only two of the fifteen sub-genotypes that circulated in South Africa in 2021-2022 still persisted in 2023. Sub-genotype SA13 remained restricted to coastal seabirds, with accelerated mutations observed in the neuraminidase protein. SA15 caused the chicken outbreaks, but outbreaks in the Paardeberg and George areas, in the Western Cape province, and the Camperdown region of the KwaZulu-Natal province were unrelated to each other, implicating wild birds as the source. All SA15 viruses contained a truncation in the PB1-F2 gene, but in the Western Cape SA15 chicken viruses, PA-X was putatively expressed as a novel isoform with eight additional amino acids. South African clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses had comparatively fewer markers of virulence and pathogenicity compared to European strains, a possible reason why no spillover to mammals has occurred here yet.
Topics: South Africa; Animals; Influenza in Birds; Disease Outbreaks; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; Phylogeny; Genotype; Birds; Chickens; Poultry; Genome, Viral; Virulence; Animals, Wild; Neuraminidase; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 38932187
DOI: 10.3390/v16060896 -
Viruses May 2024High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) cause high morbidity and mortality in poultry species. HPAIV prevalence means high numbers of infected wild birds...
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) cause high morbidity and mortality in poultry species. HPAIV prevalence means high numbers of infected wild birds could lead to spill over events for farmed poultry. How these pathogens survive in the environment is important for disease maintenance and potential dissemination. We evaluated the temperature-associated survival kinetics for five clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx HPAIVs (UK field strains between 2014 and 2021) incubated at up to three temperatures for up to ten weeks. The selected temperatures represented northern European winter (4 °C) and summer (20 °C); and a southern European summer temperature (30 °C). For each clade 2.3.4.4 HPAIV, the time in days to reduce the viral infectivity by 90% at temperature T was established (D), showing that a lower incubation temperature prolonged virus survival (stability), where D ranged from days to weeks. The fastest loss of viral infectivity was observed at 30 °C. Extrapolation of the graphical D plots to the x-axis intercept provided the corresponding time to extinction for viral decay. Statistical tests of the difference between the D values and extinction times of each clade 2.3.4.4 strain at each temperature indicated that the majority displayed different survival kinetics from the other strains at 4 °C and 20 °C.
Topics: Animals; Influenza in Birds; Temperature; Influenza A virus; Kinetics; Poultry; Animals, Wild; Birds; Poultry Diseases
PubMed: 38932181
DOI: 10.3390/v16060889 -
Viruses May 2024Influenza A viruses continue to be a serious health risk to people and result in a large-scale socio-economic loss. Avian influenza viruses typically do not replicate... (Review)
Review
Influenza A viruses continue to be a serious health risk to people and result in a large-scale socio-economic loss. Avian influenza viruses typically do not replicate efficiently in mammals, but through the accumulation of mutations or genetic reassortment, they can overcome interspecies barriers, adapt to new hosts, and spread among them. Zoonotic influenza A viruses sporadically infect humans and exhibit limited human-to-human transmission. However, further adaptation of these viruses to humans may result in airborne transmissible viruses with pandemic potential. Therefore, we are beginning to understand genetic changes and mechanisms that may influence interspecific adaptation, cross-species transmission, and the pandemic potential of influenza A viruses. We also discuss the genetic and phenotypic traits associated with the airborne transmission of influenza A viruses in order to provide theoretical guidance for the surveillance of new strains with pandemic potential and the prevention of pandemics.
Topics: Humans; Influenza, Human; Animals; Influenza A virus; Host Adaptation; Influenza in Birds; Birds; Pandemics
PubMed: 38932174
DOI: 10.3390/v16060883 -
Viruses May 2024In this study, we pioneered an alternative technology for manufacturing subunit influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-based vaccines. This innovative method involves harnessing...
In this study, we pioneered an alternative technology for manufacturing subunit influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-based vaccines. This innovative method involves harnessing the pupae of the Lepidoptera () as natural biofactories in combination with baculovirus vectors (using CrisBio technology). We engineered recombinant baculoviruses encoding two versions of the HA protein (trimeric or monomeric) derived from a pandemic avian H7N1 virus A strain (A/chicken/Italy/5093/99). These were then used to infect pupae, resulting in the production of the desired recombinant antigens. The obtained HA proteins were purified using affinity chromatography, consistently yielding approximately 75 mg/L of insect extract. The vaccine antigen effectively immunized poultry, which were subsequently challenged with a virulent H7N1 avian influenza virus. Following infection, all vaccinated animals survived without displaying any clinical symptoms, while none of the mock-vaccinated control animals survived. The CrisBio-derived antigens induced high titers of HA-specific antibodies in the vaccinated poultry, demonstrating hemagglutination inhibition activity against avian H7N1 and human H7N9 viruses. These results suggest that the CrisBio technology platform has the potential to address major industry challenges associated with producing recombinant influenza subunit vaccines, such as enhancing production yields, scalability, and the speed of development, facilitating the global deployment of highly effective influenza vaccines.
Topics: Animals; Influenza Vaccines; Pupa; Influenza in Birds; Vaccines, Subunit; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; Antibodies, Viral; Chickens; Influenza A Virus, H7N1 Subtype; Baculoviridae; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype; Humans; Vaccine Development; Moths; Pandemics
PubMed: 38932122
DOI: 10.3390/v16060829 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The H5N1 avian influenza virus seriously affects the health of poultry and humans. Once infected, the mortality rate is very high. Therefore, accurate and timely...
The H5N1 avian influenza virus seriously affects the health of poultry and humans. Once infected, the mortality rate is very high. Therefore, accurate and timely detection of the H5N1 avian influenza virus is beneficial for controlling its spread. This article establishes a dual gene detection method based on dual RPA for simultaneously detecting the HA and M2 genes of H5N1 avian influenza virus, for the detection of H5N1 avian influenza virus. Design specific primers for the conserved regions of the HA and M2 genes. The sensitivity of the dual RT-RPA detection method for HA and M2 genes is 1 × 10 ng/μL. The optimal primer ratio is 1:1, the optimal reaction temperature is 40 °C, and the optimal reaction time is 20 min. Dual RT-RPA was used to detect 72 samples, and compared with RT-qPCR detection, the Kappa value was 1 ( value < 0.05), and the clinical sample detection sensitivity and specificity were both 100%. The dual RT-RPA method is used for the first time to simultaneously detect two genes of the H5N1 avian influenza virus. As an accurate and convenient diagnostic tool, it can be used to diagnose the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
Topics: Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; Animals; Influenza in Birds; Humans; Sensitivity and Specificity; Influenza, Human; Viral Matrix Proteins; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; Birds; Viroporin Proteins
PubMed: 38930866
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122801 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024Numerous studies have reported a correlation between gut microbiota and influenza A virus (IAV) infection and disease severity. However, the causal relationship between...
Numerous studies have reported a correlation between gut microbiota and influenza A virus (IAV) infection and disease severity. However, the causal relationship between these factors remains inadequately explored. This investigation aimed to assess the influence of gut microbiota on susceptibility to human infection with H7N9 avian IAV and the severity of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 infection. A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted, integrating our in-house genome-wide association study (GWAS) on H7N9 susceptibility and H1N1pdm09 severity with a metagenomics GWAS dataset from a Chinese population. Twelve and fifteen gut microbiotas were causally associated with H7N9 susceptibility or H1N1pdm09 severity, separately. Notably, and were negative associated with H7N9 susceptibility and H1N1pdm09 severity, respectively. Moreover, and were associated with H7N9 susceptibility, while and were correlated with H1N1pdm09 severity. These results provide novel insights into the interplay between gut microbiota and IAV pathogenesis as well as new clues for mechanism research regarding therapeutic interventions or IAV infections. Future studies should concentrate on clarifying the regulatory mechanisms of gut microbiota and developing efficacious approaches to reduce the incidence of IAV infections, which could improve strategy for preventing and treating IAV infection worldwide.
PubMed: 38930552
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061170 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2024Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) has been identified as an important cause of respiratory and reproductive disease, leading to significant productive losses worldwide....
Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) has been identified as an important cause of respiratory and reproductive disease, leading to significant productive losses worldwide. Different subtypes have been found to circulate in different regions, with aMPV-A and B posing a significant burden especially in the Old World, and aMPV-C in North America, albeit with limited exceptions of marginal economic relevance. Recently, both aMPV-A and aMPV-B have been reported in the U.S.; however, the route of introduction has not been investigated. In the present study, the potential importation pathways have been studied through phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses based on a broad collection of partial attachment (G) protein sequences collected worldwide. aMPV-B circulating in the U.S. seems the descendant of Eastern Asian strains, which, in turn, are related to European ones. A likely introduction pathway mediated by wild bird migration through the Beringian crucible, where the East Asian and Pacific American flight paths intersect, appears likely and was previously reported for avian influenza. aMPV-A, on the other hand, showed a Mexican origin, involving strains related to Asian ones. Given the low likelihood of trade or illegal importation, the role of wild birds appears probable also in this case, since the region is covered by different flight paths directed in a North-South direction through America. Since the information on the role of wild birds in aMPV epidemiology is still scarce and scattered, considering the significant practical implications for the poultry industry demonstrated by recent U.S. outbreaks, further surveys on wild birds are encouraged.
PubMed: 38929405
DOI: 10.3390/ani14121786 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Influenza virus infection poses a great threat to human health globally each year. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the human genome have been reported to participate in the...
Influenza virus infection poses a great threat to human health globally each year. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the human genome have been reported to participate in the replication process of the influenza virus, among which there are still many unknowns about Long Intergenic Non-Coding RNAs (LincRNAs) in the cell cycle of viral infections. Here, we observed an increased expression of Linc01615 in A549 cells upon influenza virus PR8 infection, accompanied by the successful activation of the intracellular immune system. The knockdown of Linc01615 using the shRNAs promoted the proliferation of the influenza A virus, and the intracellular immune system was inhibited, in which the expressions of IFN-β, IL-28A, IL-29, ISG-15, MX1, and MX2 were decreased. Predictions from the catRAPID website suggested a potential interaction between Linc01615 and DHX9. Also, knocking down Linc01615 promoted influenza virus proliferation. The subsequent transcriptome sequencing results indicated a decrease in Linc01615 expression after influenza virus infection when DHX9 was knocked down. Further analysis through cross-linking immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing (CLIP-seq) in HEK293 cells stably expressing DHX9 confirmed the interaction between DHX9 and Linc01615. We speculate that DHX9 may interact with Linc01615 to partake in influenza virus replication and that Linc01615 helps to activate the intracellular immune system. These findings suggest a deeper connection between DHX9 and Linc01615, which highlights the significant role of Linc01615 in the influenza virus replication process. This research provides valuable insights into understanding influenza virus replication and offers new targets for preventing influenza virus infections.
Topics: Humans; RNA, Long Noncoding; A549 Cells; Virus Replication; HEK293 Cells; Influenza, Human; DEAD-box RNA Helicases; Influenza A virus; Animals; Dogs; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Neoplasm Proteins
PubMed: 38928290
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126584